Table 1 shows one common equipment related problems of the 2025 Toyota Prius.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Equipment problems |
Component: driver monitor camera (dmc) — driver attention/drowsiness monitoring system. The driver monitor camera repeatedly and incorrectly determines that the driver's eyes are closed when they are fully open and the driver is attentive and watching the road. This occurs during normal, attentive driving. When the system falsely registers "eyes closed," it issues escalating visual and audible alerts that grow progressively louder. The only reliable way to silence the escalating alarm is to briefly close one's eyes — meaning the system induces the exact unsafe behavior (eyes off the road) that a driver-attention system is supposed to prevent. This is a significant distraction and safety hazard. The system reactivates automatically at every engine start and cannot be permanently disabled. It must be turned off through a nested settings menu before every single drive, and even then visual alerts may persist. The dealer's service center confirmed it cannot be permanently disabled and must be switched off manually each time the vehicle is driven. The false-positive pattern appears tied to the driver's eyelid shape and facial structure, raising concern that the detection system was not adequately validated across the full range of human facial features. The frequency of false alerts, the escalating audible alarm, and the fact that silencing it requires closing one's eyes while driving together create a genuine, ongoing safety risk. Frequency: virtually every drive, multiple times per trip. No crash or injury to date, but the alert behavior creates serious driver distraction. Requested action: investigation into the accuracy and validation of the driver monitor camera's eye-detection across diverse facial and eyelid structures, and into the safety of an alert design whose escalation can only be stopped by the driver closing their eyes.
Vehicle has an active safety recall where the rear hatch may open while driving. Manufacturer states there is no remedy until August 2026, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am still making loan and insurance payments on a vehicle that cannot safely be used due to the recall. ”.
Design of rear window, side mirrors and large rear pillar greatly reduce the visibility and checking of blind spot if you are a taller person. Blind spot electronic detection can not be trusted as it's performance is intermittent. Solution would be for Toyota of retrofit electronic mirror feature like installed in the limited version of this car. This feature has live rear view camera enabled on the rearview mirror at all times. Prius without this feature is very dangerous to drive.
2023+ Toyota Prius models display an advertisement on the touchscreen head unit and there is no way to remove it besides subscribing to Toyota's optional "drive connect" feature. Displaying an advertisement to the driver of a car that cannot be turned off without paying is a safety hazard.